Maestro card question

Mattus27

Hi guys,

I'm a University student who has a student bank account with NatWest, and is currently attempting to persuade said bank to give me a Maestro card, rather than the Solo card I have at present. I've always been prudent with money and have never had any form of credit agreement, which I suspect contributes to the story which follows.

I've been with NatWest since I was 12 or so, and upgraded my account to a student account - never received a Maestro card, or any form of overdraft. In my first year of Uni, in 2006, I applied for a Maestro card, only to be rejected as I 'didn't meet the bank's criteria'.

Fast-forward to this month, and I decide to try my luck again. I've just been down the bank and filled in their form for the Servicecard. Whilst there, the lady informed me that I was in fact eligible for a £1,400 overdraft, which for some reason hadn't been applied to my account. This has left me a little confused - bearing in mind that my financial status hasn't changed significantly in the last couple of years, why would NatWest offer me £1,400 of credit if they consider it too risky to give me a simple Servicecard?

So I guess I have a few questions. Can anybody shed any light on what's going on here? What might my chances be of being awarded a Maestro card on this second attempt? And what are these criteria, anyway? It's not like I'm applying for a loan or a credit card, so I can't imagine it's anything too stringent.

I'd be grateful for any help!

lufcgirl

In my opinion, I think the first person who changed your account just didn't seem aware as to what they could offer you and therefore just kept your account exactly the same.
If you started having your student loan paid into this account after the first application, I have a feeling that may have affected the ability to have a Maestro, as one of the banks recently told a friend of mine that this showed an income going into the bank account and ensured he had this type of card.

Another reason to be rejected is that the past six months history are generally looked at when applying for an upgrade, and so if you had any cheques represented/direct debits or standing orders rejected, this usually gets rid of the possibility of upgrading.

I think you'll get the Maestro card on this occasion, as if your eligible for an overdraft of this size, theres no reason as to why you can't have the card.

Hope this helps!!

mrposhman

I would guess that in the 2 years since you originally tried to get the card / overdraft they have seen you have managed your money well and have decided to grant you the overdraft.

Did they offer this as interest free? If you are awarded an overdraft, you are therefore a credit worthy customer and would almost certainly get a maestro card. I think solo cards are generally reserved for under 18's (ie. not granted access to credit) and those with poor credit histories.

Lokolo

mrposhman wrote: »

Did they offer this as interest free? If you are awarded an overdraft, you are therefore a credit worthy customer and would almost certainly get a maestro card. I think solo cards are generally reserved for under 18's (ie. not granted access to credit) and those with poor credit histories.

I have a Solo card and a £1k overdraft.... and nuermous times have I gone overdrawn even when I didn't have an OD.

mrposhman

nuermous times have I gone overdrawn even when I didn't have an OD

does that not back up my point? i assume you meant that you have been overdrawn numerous times even when you didn't have an OD, hence with poor credit history with your bank.

Lokolo

mrposhman wrote: »

does that not back up my point? i assume you meant that you have been overdrawn numerous times even when you didn't have an OD, hence with poor credit history with your bank.

At what point did I say I have a poor credit history? I have a good one with HSBC, for my student account they asked me how much I wanted for an overdraft, I said £1k, they said yeh thats fine. I'm sure if I had a bad credit history with them, they wouldn't have?

mrposhman

re-read my post

generally reserved for under 18's (ie. not granted access to credit) and those with poor credit histories.

switch007

How ridiculous! I only have a Solo card for my savings account. My natwest student and current accounts both have Maestro (Service Card 100) - they gave them to me without asking. I assumed this was standard!! My home address is well and truly "blacklisted" financially. I know banks are funny about VISA Debit cards, running credit checks etc, never heard about Maestro!

Tell your bank to stop being so ridiculous and give you a Maestro card or open another account elsewhere!